Sling (album) explained

Sling
Type:studio
Cover:Clairo - Sling.png
Artist:Clairo
Recorded:Autumn 2020
Studio:
Genre:
Length:44:33
Label:
Prev Title:Immunity
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Charm
Next Year:2024

Sling is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Clairo. It was released on July 16, 2021, through Fader and Republic. It serves as the follow-up to her debut album, Immunity. The album was announced on June 11, 2021, alongside the release of the lead single, "Blouse".[1] [2] [3] [4]

After its release, Sling received widespread critical acclaim by music critics, praising a noticeable expansion in Clairo's vocals, and the maturity of her songwriting. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number 17 on the US Billboard 200, making it her first top 20 album.

Background and release

In April 2020, it was reported that Clairo had begun work on her follow-up to Immunity when she shared a screenshot of a playlist titled 'Album 2 (demos so far)'. One demo, titled 'february 15, 2020 london, uk (demo)', dates back to February 2020 and another titled 'Everything I Know' from the beginning of April.[5] In the writing process, Clairo admitted that "Joanie, my dog, opened up my world in ways I didn't think were capable. By caring for her, it forced me to face my own thoughts about parenthood and what it would mean to me."[6] Having started writing in July 2020, Clairo revealed that "Reaper" was the first song she wrote for the record, and had then recorded approximately 35 of its demos thereafter.[7] Recording took place during autumn 2020 at Allaire Recording Studios in upstate New York,[8] [9] and was completed at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.[10]

Prior to the announcement of Sling, Clairo provided background vocals on Lorde's song "Solar Power" alongside Phoebe Bridgers. On June 11, 2021, Clairo released the lead single of the album, "Blouse", which features background vocals from Lorde. Our Culture named "Blouse" one of the best songs for the week of June 14, 2021.[11] The song was performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[12] In 2022, she embarked on the Sling Tour, with Arlo Parks as an opening act. [13]

Composition

Sling has been described as a vintage pop, acoustic folk, folk rock, baroque pop, and chamber folk record. Rolling Stone reporter Jonathan Bernstein deemed it a concept album about "aging and feeling older than you ought to". "Blouse" has been described as a folk tune and "crushing ballad" where Clairo sings over a "hushed acoustic guitar" as well as "orchestral swings".[14] [15] Clairo's vocals become louder in the song mix as the track progresses and includes backing vocals performed by Lorde.[6]

Critical reception

Sling received critical acclaim upon release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 84, which indicates "universal acclaim", based on 21 reviews.

The Line of Best Fit writer Jay Singh described the record to contain relatable themes like "yearning for stability, grappling with our mortality, and striving to treat ourselves with care". He noted that Cotrill handles the heavy topics of "Blouse" and "Just for Today" with "grace and nuance far beyond her years". He concluded the review about how "Cottrill can take solace in knowing she’s created something timeless".

Jem Aswad from Variety called the album a "vintage pop triumph". He also wrote that Clairo "advanced dramatically as a singer". He noted that record producer Rostam Batmanglij, on Immunity would load echo on her voice for compensation of her limited range but on Sling, her and Jack Antonoff have multi-tracked her voice that has "delicately layered harmonies". He said that the record featured baroque touches with vintage keyboards, Wurlitzer electric piano, and a string quartet.[16]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRank
DorkDork's Albums of 2021
Evening StandardThe best albums of 2021
The GuardianThe 50 best albums of 2021
The Line of Best FitThe Best Albums of 2021 Ranked
NMEThe 50 best albums of 2021
StereogumThe 50 Best Albums of 2021
UproxxThe Best Albums Of 2021

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[17] 88
US Billboard 200[18] 17

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sacher. Andrew. June 11, 2021. Clairo announces Jack Antonoff-produced LP 'Sling,' shares song ft. Lorde. BrooklynVegan. June 12, 2021.
  2. Web site: Young. Alex. June 11, 2021. Clairo announces new album Sling, shares "Blouse": Stream. Consequence. June 12, 2021.
  3. Web site: Langford. Jackson. June 11, 2021. Clairo announces new album 'Sling', drops lead single 'Blouse'. NME. June 12, 2021.
  4. Web site: Bloom. Madison. June 11, 2021. Clairo Announces New Album Sling, Shares New Song "Blouse": Listen. Pitchfork. June 13, 2021.
  5. Web site: Langford. Jackson. April 13, 2020. Clairo reveals she's returned to work on her new album. NME. June 19, 2021.
  6. Web site: Farrell. Margaret. June 11, 2021. Clairo Announces Sophomore Album With Devastating New Song "Blouse". Flood Magazine. en-US. June 15, 2021.
  7. Web site: Wilkinson. Matt. July 16, 2021. Clairo: 'Sling' and Exploring Uncomfortable Thoughts Apple Music. July 18, 2021. Apple Music. YouTube.
  8. Web site: Samways. Gemma. July 13, 2021. Clairo: 'This industry drains young women until they're not youthful any more'. July 18, 2021. The Guardian.
  9. Web site: Daly. Rhian. July 16, 2021. Clairo: "I was too scared to think domesticity could be something I crave". July 18, 2021. NME.
  10. August 5, 2021. Clairo and Jack Antonoff Break Down Clairo's New Song 'Amoeba'. August 10, 2021. Rolling Stone. YouTube.
  11. Web site: Pappis. Konstantinos. June 14, 2021. This Week's Best New Songs: Megan Thee Stallion, Clairo, W. H. Lung, and More. Our Culture. en-GB. June 15, 2021.
  12. Web site: June 11, 2021. Clairo Performs New Song "Blouse" On Thursday's "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (Watch Now). Headline Planet. en-US. June 15, 2021.
  13. Web site: Strauss. Matthew. July 20, 2021. Clairo Announces 2022 Tour. Pitchfork. February 12, 2023.
  14. Web site: Sowing . July 17, 2021 . Review: Clairo — Sling . Sputnik Music . July 20, 2021.
  15. Martoccio . Angie . June 11, 2021 . Clairo Drops Crushing Ballad 'Blouse' With Backing Vocals by Lorde . Rolling Stone . en-US . June 15, 2021.
  16. Aswad. Jem. Clairo's 'Sling' Is a Vintage Pop Triumph: Album Review. Variety. July 16, 2021. July 17, 2021.
  17. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 26 July 2021. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1638. 6. July 26, 2021.
  18. billboardcharts. 1419658178225135619. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/4).... July 25, 2021. July 26, 2021.